11 minute read

COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE

from POLISHED Magazine Fall/Winter 2023

from POLISHED Magazine Fall/Winter 2023, page 6

Mochi Madness

Most people who walk into The Caf, an artistic business in Hartford, Connecticut, probably wouldn’t guess it was an outcropping of the web of artists and communities that make up Connecticut’s art scene.

As the store buyer and Creative Director, Josh Jenkins plans the shop with care. The curated selection of clothes are a marriage of trendy New York City street fashions and the rugged outdoor clothing every New Englander keeps in their closet for those gray rainy days and famous northern cold weather. Situated right by New York City and mountainous New Jersey, The Caf has a style that acknowledges both neighbors, offering the work of new designers, local artists, and small Japanese brands to its patrons. Along with clothing, the store also brings its customers global fashion and culture in the form of magazines from all over the world, with headquarters in cities like Tokyo and Berlin. The store also has a good selection of music, with albums and LPs from both rising stars and old artists.

The store is unique in Connecticut’s sea of impersonal retail. None of the multi-brand shops in the region are as much of a collective and a community as it is. Which is what makes The Caf as special as it is; it falls under the category many refer to as “a diamond in the rough”.

“In some ways, we kind of look at it like...a gift shop for, you know, all these different ideas and people that we like to celebrate,” said Jenkins.

The Caf didn’t start out as a store, though. At first, there was only the radio show, Cafeteria. This media agency, founded in 2015, grew into a digital magazine as the two owners, Jenkins and Jeff Devereux, pursued their mission: to connect people through art and ideas. Cafeteria has hosted countless events. It values the connections that people are able to make in person. Though the Hartford club scene has faded, Cafeteria works hard to revitalize it, whether it be through hosting events themselves or spreading the word within the community about local events.

“We basically look at ourselves as a community venture building agency, so basically we have sort of helped and supported a lot of artists and cultural events, mainly in Hartford, for the past several years,” said Jenkins.

Even now, this far from its radio days, music is still an important part of Cafeteria. From the music ever-available on its website, to the articles it publishes on musicians, to the albums it sells in-store, music still remains at the heart of the company.

In the winter of 2021, Cafeteria organized a holiday market. For five weeks, small businesses sold their wares directly to many holiday shoppers, and the money the shoppers spent on their holiday gifts helped out artists. The profits were sent back into the community, instead of lining the pockets of a multinational department store.

Cafeteria made a pop-up for themselves at this fair and called it The Caf, which later became the name of its brick- and-mortar store.

“I think for us, contributing to the nightlife scene in Hartford just comes natural. A lot of connections, conversations and ideas span from coming together in social spaces,” said Jenkins.

Because of its roots as a radio station, Cafeteria works with and promotes many musicians. It gives rising artists publicity and a space to sell their work. The shop frequently hosts DJs, and often records the sets from their sessions for its site. The origins of the shop are very characteristic of Cafeteria itself; the holiday market is the kind of community building venture that Cafeteria was made to facilitate, whether it be through magazine articles or through connecting artists with customers.

The Caf is one of the platforms the company has created to promote artists. It operates like a consignment store: an artist sends their pieces to be sold at the store, and when a customer buys something, the store keeps a percentage of the money.

Lasell graduate Josh Michna, developer of his own design project, Bushland, sells his works through The Caf. His pieces, which are often handmade and gorgeously distressed, evoke rural America with icons like faded denim, telephone poles, and silhouetted barns. His style is a natural fit for the Caf.

Since its radio days, Cafeteria has seen itself as having the important job of recording and sharing what’s special about its part of the world. A person can travel all over the United States and walk into a clothing store and see more or less the same brands they would see anywhere else, but that’s the opposite of what the company is trying to do. Cafeteria, and by extension The Caf, were created to bring visibility to the underground art scene in Connecticut. New designers are less known, and usually have less production value in their pieces, which means more of the designer’s effort goes into each individual piece than would be true for a larger brand. Because of this, shopping at the Caf can be an intimate experience, an interaction between the customer and the person who designed and possibly made the clothing.

Cafeteria brings communities together and facilitates the sharing of ideas. The Caf, as a branch of Cafeteria, is a part of that collaboration. Be sure to tune in next time to see what creations have painted Connecticut next.

@thecafbycafeteria; cafeteria.fm/thecaf

Whetherit’s a family dinner, romantic date, or a night out with your friends, Capo Restaurant provides a unique and enjoyable environment suited for every occasion. Capo is a classic Italian restaurant located in South Boston that has you covered for every desired dining experience. Since 2016, Capo has served as an elegant dining space where you are guaranteed delicious food ranging from Maine lobster gnocchi to prosciutto-wrapped figs whilst in a classy and comfortable environment. Not only is the dining experience exceptional, but you are also just steps away from a historical speakeasy-inspired space on the floor below. Capo’s Supper Club, a speakeasy within the establishment, will transport you back in time with an alluring ambiance assured to provide you with entertainment and a good time.

The business is owned by Eric Aulenback and Michael Conlon, and this location is managed by Mike Doyle. Located on West Broadway, Capo is joined by Loco and Lincoln, two additional restaurants both owned by Michael Shaw. As previously mentioned, not only is this an elegant restaurant, but tucked away beneath the first floor is the Supper Club. The Supper Club is what the business calls their speakeasy-like area where you can enjoy a variety of entertainment. Downstairs you will be met with an old time environment which includes a stage that hosts events such as bingo, comedy shows, and live music. There are many events to choose from each week at Capo Restaurant. You can enjoy bingo followed by a comedy night hosted by local comedian Will Noonan, all while enjoying an exquisite meal and unique cocktails. You can also check out Capo’s website for their weekly rotating events to spice up your night! Ranging from karaoke to a night filled with country music, there is always something going on. As for your weekend plans, you can add some excitement with a night of dancing and live music at the Supper Club.

If you’re looking for a more classy option, you can reserve a spot at one of Capo’s most adored events, which happens each Sunday night. Performed by Rich DiMare and the Ron Poster Trio, you can enjoy a fabulous performance of Frank Sinatra’s most loved music. Another event held here is gluten-free nights on Tuesdays. Each Monday night the kitchen is tackled with a meticulous deep clean from the pots to the oils and everything in between; this is to ensure that there is no chance of cross contamination. The utensils and tools are switched out for Tuesdays as well, where the entire menu is made gluten free. Most importantly, Capo Restaurant takes pride in their elevated culinary program, serving classic old Italian dining; no matter the time you eat there, you are assured of high quality, satisfying food. With all of these events in mind, there’s not a week that goes by without exciting events that are sure to cater to your interests!

“Capo is by far the most exciting place I’ve ever worked,” said Doyle.

Bringing groups of people together in a welcoming environment adds to the customer’s experience. Providing this atmosphere lights up the room when the talent takes the stage. Engaging the audience is what they do best, channeling a crowd that is full of laughter and fun. Sitting down with friends and family to watch a show can be accompanied by their menu of savory food and delicious drinks. What sets Capo apart from other restaurants in the Boston area is the energy; the element of moody dining, from the lighting, to the music. At Capo, it’s not just about the meal in front of you, it’s about the entire experience from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave. It’s also important to note the ability of transformation inside the restaurant for different events. They can hold events up to 700 people and will transform the space into an unimaginable environment that will be sure to give you a successful event. Capo wants their customers to leave with an experience that keeps them coming back for more.

“We want to stimulate all of your senses, not just taste,” said Doyle.

Capo is sure to give you a pleasant dining experience that is different from any other. They want to cater to you and make your event, or even just a casual night out, special and memorable. From weddings to corporate parties, you can experience fine Italian dining, with entertainment, and a night that is sure to captivate and stimulate all of your senses.

@caposouthbos; caposouthboston.com

Emma White

Sustainability is something that has blossomed into fashion, evolving the ever-changing industry into fashions that will continue to inspire. The garment industry has turned to fast fashion as a way to quickly produce garments for lower costs. We strive in our industry to have clothing sold, only to have that clothing thrown away, and when these pieces are thrown away, they poison our earth.

Reusing fashions and giving them a new life is how the world can change our impact. The new trend of saving the planet by reusing what we have is how we can recycle within the fashion industries life cycle. The garment industry is made of disposable fashion that gets sent to landfills to decompose for years on end. Instead, they send harmful chemicals into our atmosphere, and there are designers that want to give these materials a second chance at life.

High fashion is an evolution that can make an impact in our everyday lives. Designers such as Anna Molinari (@annamo.1), Jackie WolfSchmidt (@jwolfschmidt), and Paige Sechrist (@paigesechrist) exercise upcycling as power within the construction of fashion. Pushing boundaries is how designers show the importance of style with the overall use of textiles found in our everyday lives. When sewing, upcycling, and thrifting, these designers are creating pieces that will give each item a new life, rather than the fashions ending up in landfills where they go to decompose. Using items from bubble wrap and plastic packaging, to bottle caps and thrifted apparel, the construction of these garments are made to be trendy by breaking boundaries to what fashions can be made of.

Designers from all over the world have been experimenting with how they can make new, sustainable garments from objects and clothes that we as humans have already used. Going beyond fashion and what we can use from our everyday lives is important to the future of the fashion industry. Clothing will continue to fill landfills, affecting our earth. It is no longer about the creation of newer clothes; it is all about how we can use what we have to create new designs. Anna Molinari is doing just this, as a designer that is pushing the boundaries between garments made of trash that go beyond sustainability. She includes current events and social justices into her work of art to make a larger statement in the industry. These fashions draw you in, as you want to learn more about how these designs came to life.

A designer by the name of Jackie Wolf-Schmidt, from New York, is pushing boundaries in fashion as the owner of a sustainability brand. Many of her clothes are made with trash that we as humans have thrown away. This has taken the idea of “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, to a whole new meaning. Though we have thrown away these items that we have established as garbage, that doesn’t mean they cannot be given a new life. Items such as bottle caps, that we see as pieces of trash, can be connected together by jump rings to make editorial fashion.

Aluminum cans and puzzle pieces are something that are thrown away every day, but can be used for different purposes. Wolf-Schmidt created an entire collection in 2021 by using different textiles of trash to create a sequin effect for the garments. This collection displayed both menswear and womenswear and how these out of the box materials can be used to create couture garments that make a statement about the industry and what the items we throw away are doing to our planet.

Crocheting garbage bags together to create a new textile for the garment gives texture to each of the pieces, allowing the consumer to see the impact that fashion statements have. Using this method of creation, Wolf-Schmidt as a younger designer has allowed herself to push the boundaries of fashion and create these new designs that are influenced by trends that we see throughout social media. Layering old pieces of fashion that consumers decide are no longer in fashion can give the garment a new life. Wolf-Schmidt has also taken previously owned leather belts that no longer served a purpose and gave them a purpose again, allowing for them to be sewn together to create a garment that can be photographed for magazines.

Paige Sechrist is a designer who balances the art of “do it yourself” fashions by creating garments through upcycling. Thrift stores carry many different fabrics and textiles that can be reinvented and given a new life, and this is something that Sechrist uses to share her impact of upcycling. She creates one-of-a-kind fashions that can’t be found in any store, this is the individuality that we thrive to achieve in the industry. The creation of unique garments tells a story, and adds to the ethical creation of garments in our industry. Her brand encompasses making old clothes feel new again, giving them a second life and her consumers’ closets a sustainable refresh.

Having garments on social media and in magazines is what will draw in the consumer to want to learn more about fashion sustainability. Having the ability to create wearable pieces of art from these pieces of trash, or found objects, can leave a bold impression on those who are willing to see the true meaning. Recycled bottle caps, canvas, puzzle pieces, trash bags, and repurposed clothes are only the beginning of what designers can use to create wearable and functional fashions.

Our generation promotes sustainability and making fashion quality stronger. We are uncovering the mask of what the fashion industry has done to impact our economic status and what it has done to change the climate as we know it. Every year, humans throw away endless amounts of trash, and where we send it allows for the trash to continually pile up in landfills. As a generation, we are painting a new picture of what this is doing for our planet.

There is a cost to what we support and as we demand more products, this comes at a hefty price. This has been in the news more as the conversation surrounding sustainability becomes a topic of high importance. Embracing sustainability will set a new standard in the fashion industry, as we are not just in the business to make money, but to show the world that sustainability can be desirable.

As we give products from our home a second life, designers can create new fashions with creativity to push the boundaries of what fashion means, and what fashion can be. Upcycling or recycling your clothing before tossing them can give them a new meaning; just because it is trash doesn’t make it any less fashionable.